How does a Rotax engine work?

A:

Quick Answer

Rotax engines work by maintaining complete control of the airflow into an engine and keeping the air in without any airflow restrictions, according to Rotaxdisk.com. They have a rotary valve that rotates mechanically in a circular motion, which maintains an efficient intake air control.

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Rotax engines are non-automotive recreational engines known for their excellent performance and reliability, says Rotaxdisk.com. The engine line includes several class-leading, single-cylinder, two-stroke kart engines designed to match various chassis and race classes. The Rotax Mini Max is specially designed for youth karting applications, while the DD2-125 is designed for use with the Rotax RM1 kart.

The shape of the valve can alter the rotary plate's timing, states Rotaxdisk.com. This is usually done in racing engines. The Rotax engine's line ranges from the basic Rotax 447 model, which has a 40-horse-power output, air-cooled, two-stroke engine, to the top of the range Rotax 914 turbo and water-cooled, four-stroke engine with a 115-horse-power output. The only downside to the Rotax engine is the lack of a mixture control adjustment feature that allows the pilot to fly away at different altitudes. The pilot should open the carburetor and change the main jets with other sizes to attain the engine's optimal performance that is specific for the altitude he wants to fly.